Curious what people think. I'm a college student here and It's a a small town city with about 19,532 people. Household incomes average around $91,638 in Knightdale. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Should I be concerned? Thanks!
11 upvotes
11 Replies
Henry Torres
Can confirm, been here 12 years.
39 upvotes
Hailey Williams
I've been living here for 15 years and I'd say it's improved dramatically in recent years. The walkability is challenging compared to other places I've lived. Overall Would recommend to anyone considering it..
35 upvotes
Adeline Lee
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a marketing manager who relocated here from Portland about 8 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Decent public transit for the size
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Dating scene is rough
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are affordable, gas is tough.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. No regrets on my end..
32 upvotes
Ezekiel Howard
We moved here with our family and it's improved dramatically in recent years. Schools in West area are excellent. Kids love it here.
32 upvotes
Gianna Jackson
I've been living here for 6 years and I'd say I love the pace of life here. The dating scene is solid compared to other places I've lived. Overall Definitely worth checking out..
29 upvotes
Genesis E.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a nurse who relocated here from Portland about 10 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Close to major attractions
- Good airport with direct flights
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Property taxes are high
Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are reasonable, gas is solid.
Socially, I have mixed feelings honestly. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
24 upvotes
Avery G.
Hot take but there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. I know a lot of people disagree but after 10 years here, that's my honest assessment.
15 upvotes
Brooklyn C.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 57, moved here 9 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in Westside and Pine Hills, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Decent public transit for the size
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Chain restaurants dominate
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The outdoor recreation situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Westside: Great for retirees. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- Pine Hills: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Seattle, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $70K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
12 upvotes
Brooklyn Torres
Moved here from Charlotte about 8 years ago. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Still getting used to job market but Definitely worth checking out..
10 upvotes
emmett_chef
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from Minneapolis and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Oak Park. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in legal. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like sushi.
Hope this helps!.
3 upvotes
Leo T.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, the quality of life is solid. Would recommend to anyone considering it..